Phoebe A. Haddon, a nationally known leader in issues related to access and equity, served as chancellor of Rutgers University–Camden from 2014 through 2020. Under her leadership at Rutgers University–Camden, the institution was able to widen affordable access to students through its landmark Bridging the Gap program, which provides full or significant tuition coverage for New Jersey’s working families. She amplified Rutgers University’s role as an anchor institution in Camden and in the Delaware Valley by expanding the university’s nationally recognized civic engagement program. She also led Rutgers University–Camden to secure classification as a Carnegie R2 Research University and as a Carnegie civically engaged university, both indicators of how the institution’s national stature expanded under her guidance. During her time as chancellor, Rutgers University–Camden achieved its highest enrollment in the history of the campus while opening new facilities and spaces to accommodate its commitment to student success.
She continues her affiliation with Rutgers as chancellor emerita and holds the rank of University Professor on the faculty of Rutgers Law School. Prior to joining Rutgers University–Camden, Haddon was dean of the University of Maryland School of Law during 2009-2014 and secured a $30 million gift for the law school; at the time, this was the largest gift to a public law school, leading to its being named the Francis King Carey School of Law.
Among other awards and recognitions, Haddon received the 2019 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of American Law Schools and the 2019 Smith College Medal. In 2015, she received the Trailblazer’s Award from the New Jersey Women Lawyer’s Association. In 2014, Haddon was an invited speaker at the American Institute’s 91st annual meeting; she is a life member of the Institute. In 2011, Haddon received the Great Teacher Award from the Society of American Law Teachers. She has served as co-president of that organization.
From 2016 until fall 2020, Haddon served as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank in Philadelphia. She continues to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Cooper University Health System, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and HERS (Higher Education Resource Services), a nationally known organization supporting women aspiring to leadership in higher education. In 2019, NJBIZ named her among the “Top 50 in Higher Ed in New Jersey” and the Philadelphia Business Journal named her to its “Power 100” list. The Philadelphia Inquirer also named her among its 2019 Diversity & Inclusion Pioneer awardees. Haddon has served on the American Bar Association’s Commission on the Future of Legal Services, as well as the ABA’s Kutak Award Committee. She currently serves as a member of the New Jersey TAG Commission, an appointment made by Governor Phil Murphy.
Haddon earned an LL.M from Yale Law School in 1985 and a Juris Doctor cum laude from Duquesne University School of Law in 1977. She received a bachelor’s degree from Smith College with honors in 1972. She served as vice chair and member of the Smith College Board of Trustees and a member of the board of the Alumnae Association. From 1981 to 2009, she was a member of the faculty at Temple Law School.